News, observations and reader questions about the Sacramento Kings and the NBA.

October 31, 2013

The Kings have declined to pick up the fourth-year option on Jimmer Fredette's contract for the 2014-15 season worth $3.3 million.

Fredette will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. The Kings could re-sign Fredette at a reduced salary, but the decision more than likely means this is the Fredette's final season with the Kings.

It also means Fredette is more likely to be valued in a trade, as he'd be an expiring deal that would create salary-cap space for next summer's free agency class.

The Kings drafted two guards in June (Ben McLemore, Ray McCallum) and traded for Greivis Vasquez. The front office likes Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Thornton has two more years left on his contract.

Fredette is due $2.6 million this season. He was the 10th overall pick in the 2011 Draft after a standout career at Brigham Young University capped with being the consensus National Player of the Year as a senior.

There might not have been a more well-known college player than Fredette that season.

Fredette remains extremely popular, even as his playing time as a pro has been inconsistent.

There have been questions about Fredette's defense, and whether he has the ballhandling skills to be a point or shooting guard in the NBA.

Fredette did not play in Wednesday night's season opening win over the Denver Nuggets.